Although cheerleading has only been around for 100 years or so, it has quite a history! Since the early days, cheer has made leaps and bounds in the athletic world. Everything "“ from uniforms to routines "“ has changed. Understanding the history of cheerleading and cheerleaders can give you a better perspective of how it started and where it's headed in the future. Read The Cheerleading Guide to the History of Cheer to help you understand how the world of cheer has evolved.

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Cheer 101The basics of cheerleading are anything but basic. From historic numbers to national organizations and publications, knowing who and what is involved in the cheering industry is a valuable resource.

PeopleThere are a number of people involved in cheerleading, including coaches, captains, judges, mascots, and spotters. Familiarize yourself with the origin, roles and duties of each figure.

LevelsCheerleaders are now as young as three years old! Learn the differences between youth, school, university, and competition cheer squads and how they have evolved from small after-school activities to competitive, full-time programs.

Performance ElementsThere are several key elements of a cheer performance, including stunting, tumbling, music and dance. Over the years, the rules and expectations have drastically changed. Cheer has evolved from spirited cheers and waving pom poms to choreographed routines with gymnastics and dance.

EventsTryouts, cheer camp, and competitions are important events in the cheerleading world. All three have become significantly more intense as the standards for cheerleaders rise. It's important to know the expectations at tryouts, the various types of cheer camp, and the progression of competitions.

FashionThe cheerleading uniform is iconic; but did you know it is almost unrecognizable compared to the cheer uniforms from the early 1900s? As cheerleading has progressed from spirited waves to advanced tumbling, cheer uniforms, apparel, body basics, and shoes have changed to accommodate cheerleaders' needs.

Accessories & BeautyCheerleading wouldn't be the same without its signature accessories! Although they've changed in design and style over the years, pom poms, megaphones, and spirit sticks have been apart of cheerleading since the beginning. Similar to the fashion, hairstyles and makeup have evolved to meet the needs of cheerleaders as their routines and performances intensify.

Download the full free guide now to access all of the information you need to know about cheerleading.